No Kenner race
07-10-2009 | 09:49 AM
#21
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 51
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From: LOTO
I'm sure you just read Ryan's post, now dwell on it for a little while and think about how much each item cost's and then double it for your advertizing costs . You have to advertize to justify the dollars spent by your sponsor's on your event. He pretty well covered all the bases, if you feel like you can help with any of those, then contact your promoter and STEP -UP.
Last edited by SUPERCATBOATS; 07-10-2009 at 10:37 AM.
07-10-2009 | 10:13 AM
#22
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 51
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From: LOTO
PSmith - I like your passion and enthusiasm for a race in Kenner! Why don't you produce a race there in 2010? You know that old saying: If you don't do it, it won't get done.
I was the Kenner race producer last year. Here's what you'll encounter:
1. Graft and greed, from the highest levels on down. And it's unabashed. And if you don't play along, you'll run into every conceivable brick wall, roadblock and obstacle that can be thrown in your path.
2. Media apathy. The TV stations didn't care, the newspapers didn't care and the radio stations didn't care that a race was going to take place.
3. Wretched hotels. (I understand a new hotel has just opened.)
4. Lack of decent restaurants and entertainment nearby.
5. Lack of sponsors - or, in my case, sponsorship money that was obtained by someone and not shared, despite this person telling the sponsors they would be sponsoring the race. The lack of sponsors, more than anything, will break the back of any race. In this economy sponsors are especially hard to come by.
6. Crabbers who sense an opportunity to have their palms greased so they won't complain. (Thanks to Stan and Shannon for providing that grease.)
7. Parish administrators who don't like the city administrators, and vice versa. (Played correctly, that can actually work to your advantage.)
8. Two clueless CVBs.
9. Fans who complain because the power lines are in the way.
10. An air traffic controller who believed he was omnipotent.
11. Racers who don't want to return because Kenner doesn't have anything going for it except a park and a body of water to race on.
There were some bright spots:
1. Sal Cimino volunteered his time and stood in the hot sun because he loves the sport.
2. The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce raised the $15,000 the mayor charged me for renting the park.
3. Gary Knight rounded up most of the turn boats.
4. Karen Patterson helped round up the sweep/patrol boats and med boats.
5. Stan Ware and his brother fed the volunteers every day.
6. Ben Zahn and the Kenner fire chief were outstanding to work with.
I have all of the contacts and vendors from last year's race that I'll be happy to send you should you decide to move forward with a 2010 race in Kenner.
Good luck!
Lou Anne Campbell
Campbell Offshore Racing
I was the Kenner race producer last year. Here's what you'll encounter:
1. Graft and greed, from the highest levels on down. And it's unabashed. And if you don't play along, you'll run into every conceivable brick wall, roadblock and obstacle that can be thrown in your path.
2. Media apathy. The TV stations didn't care, the newspapers didn't care and the radio stations didn't care that a race was going to take place.
3. Wretched hotels. (I understand a new hotel has just opened.)
4. Lack of decent restaurants and entertainment nearby.
5. Lack of sponsors - or, in my case, sponsorship money that was obtained by someone and not shared, despite this person telling the sponsors they would be sponsoring the race. The lack of sponsors, more than anything, will break the back of any race. In this economy sponsors are especially hard to come by.
6. Crabbers who sense an opportunity to have their palms greased so they won't complain. (Thanks to Stan and Shannon for providing that grease.)
7. Parish administrators who don't like the city administrators, and vice versa. (Played correctly, that can actually work to your advantage.)
8. Two clueless CVBs.
9. Fans who complain because the power lines are in the way.
10. An air traffic controller who believed he was omnipotent.
11. Racers who don't want to return because Kenner doesn't have anything going for it except a park and a body of water to race on.
There were some bright spots:
1. Sal Cimino volunteered his time and stood in the hot sun because he loves the sport.
2. The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce raised the $15,000 the mayor charged me for renting the park.
3. Gary Knight rounded up most of the turn boats.
4. Karen Patterson helped round up the sweep/patrol boats and med boats.
5. Stan Ware and his brother fed the volunteers every day.
6. Ben Zahn and the Kenner fire chief were outstanding to work with.
I have all of the contacts and vendors from last year's race that I'll be happy to send you should you decide to move forward with a 2010 race in Kenner.
Good luck!
Lou Anne Campbell
Campbell Offshore Racing
I just want to say THANK YOU Lou Anne because I know it's not easy. Race Chairman at LOTO last two years.
Also a BIG THANK YOU to your bright spots. I feel they are the people that make this sport happen. I have raced many years and never thought twice about how it was put together. Just took it for granted that it happen. The stuff that happens at a race does not happen overnight and every racer should thank a volunteer every chance they get.
07-10-2009 | 11:34 AM
#23
DriverofDonzi
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 0
From: Grand Blanc, MI
I agree with Ryan completely.
If race site has been cancelled, accept it and dont give anyone else complaints. We have to face the facts that the economy out there is very bad.
It will come out next year but who knows.
Chris
If race site has been cancelled, accept it and dont give anyone else complaints. We have to face the facts that the economy out there is very bad.
It will come out next year but who knows.
Chris
07-10-2009 | 12:11 PM
#24
Gold Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 0
From: Marathon
GOOD ONE.................
p.s.........Ryan is exactly right and you can probably add a lot more roadblocks and red tape for each race
Last edited by Pat D; 07-10-2009 at 12:27 PM.
07-10-2009 | 12:23 PM
#25
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield, MI
EVERYONE
....if you think it's so easy, you should put on a race, go out and get sponsors, secure a site, get insurance, get cranes, docks, ramp, volunteers, helicopters, trophies, fencing, porta potties.....deal with local govt. , police, fire department, coast guard, & tree huggers
PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW THAT WORKS OUT FOR YOU!!!!
....if you think it's so easy, you should put on a race, go out and get sponsors, secure a site, get insurance, get cranes, docks, ramp, volunteers, helicopters, trophies, fencing, porta potties.....deal with local govt. , police, fire department, coast guard, & tree huggers
PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW THAT WORKS OUT FOR YOU!!!!
07-10-2009 | 12:42 PM
#26
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 485
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Just a little FYI.
The race in St Clair start over 15 years ago with a couple of guy sitting down and putting pen to paper and forming the Blue Water Offshore Racing Association. Since its beginings there has been nothing more to drive the event than the love of the sport. Yes getting everything together including the cash is difficult but the end result is the same the race has continued for the past 15 years. I hate to sound so harsh but you have to realize 2 things. 1. It takes time and effort in many areas to pull it off. 2nd you need to keep a positive attitude, even when it appears that its becoming to much to handle.
Sorry for the long post but, keep this in mind on a side note. When any team/org comes into town the site in St Clair is ran by the BWORA. Its a racers dream ...... Just show up and race, no worries about getting this done or that done. BWORA has it all under control for the Org and the teams.
Just my 2 cents.
The race in St Clair start over 15 years ago with a couple of guy sitting down and putting pen to paper and forming the Blue Water Offshore Racing Association. Since its beginings there has been nothing more to drive the event than the love of the sport. Yes getting everything together including the cash is difficult but the end result is the same the race has continued for the past 15 years. I hate to sound so harsh but you have to realize 2 things. 1. It takes time and effort in many areas to pull it off. 2nd you need to keep a positive attitude, even when it appears that its becoming to much to handle.
Sorry for the long post but, keep this in mind on a side note. When any team/org comes into town the site in St Clair is ran by the BWORA. Its a racers dream ...... Just show up and race, no worries about getting this done or that done. BWORA has it all under control for the Org and the teams.
Just my 2 cents.
07-10-2009 | 01:08 PM
#27
Registered
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 0
From: Jupiter, Fl
The race in St Clair start over 15 years ago with a couple of guy sitting down and putting pen to paper and forming the Blue Water Offshore Racing Association. Since its beginings there has been nothing more to drive the event than the love of the sport. Yes getting everything together including the cash is difficult but the end result is the same the race has continued for the past 15 years. I hate to sound so harsh but you have to realize 2 things. 1. It takes time and effort in many areas to pull it off. 2nd you need to keep a positive attitude, even when it appears that its becoming to much to handle.
Sorry for the long post but, keep this in mind on a side note. When any team/org comes into town the site in St Clair is ran by the BWORA. Its a racers dream ...... Just show up and race, no worries about getting this done or that done. BWORA has it all under control for the Org and the teams.
Sorry for the long post but, keep this in mind on a side note. When any team/org comes into town the site in St Clair is ran by the BWORA. Its a racers dream ...... Just show up and race, no worries about getting this done or that done. BWORA has it all under control for the Org and the teams.
07-10-2009 | 05:38 PM
#29
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 207
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Kenner Race..
guys i saw,first hand, the bull--- that lou anne had to put up with last year. i, truly felt sorry for her. had to be in 1000 places at the same time. like she said i love the sport, never be a race driver or owner but it's the closest i can get to my favorite sport.................. thanks lou-anne for mentioning me but it was you who should get the KUDOS!!!!!!!!!!!!.you are the true professional........SAL
07-11-2009 | 08:15 AM
#30
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 214
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From: Clearwater Beach, Florida
Miraculous Job!
guys i saw,first hand, the bull--- that lou anne had to put up with last year. i, truly felt sorry for her. had to be in 1000 places at the same time. like she said i love the sport, never be a race driver or owner but it's the closest i can get to my favorite sport.................. thanks lou-anne for mentioning me but it was you who should get the KUDOS!!!!!!!!!!!!.you are the true professional........SAL
